Dayglo’d and Driving

Arguably one of the most offensive punk bands to have spawned from Canada, Victoria’s Dayglo Abortions have been nauseating those with weak stomachs for more than 30 years. Over the course of nine albums and numerous line-up changes, Dayglo Abortions have independently built a notorious reputation for outrageous lyrics and provocative album artwork, some that led to charges of obscenity which were later dropped, resulting in a career that has been described as legendary.

An ample turnout of Thunder Bay music supporters arrived at Black Pirates Pub on Tuesday, September 10 ready to witness Canadian punk at its moderately-aged finest. Local openers, Broke ‘Til Payday, Rock Truck, Forever Dead and Fist Fight with Gandhi were the foreplay which climaxed with Last of The V8 Interceptors and Dayglo Abortions.

Dayglo Abortions, no strangers to Thunder Bay, hit the stage and delivered just what the audience came for—a quintessential punk rock show. Original guitarist and singer The Cretin, together with drummer Blind Marc and Willy Jak on bass produced a strange aura of revered punk wisdom throughout the pub, giving rise to a feisty, yet courteous mosh pit. Guttural bursts of approval and appreciation from the patrons solidified the bands legacy of punk infamy.

The band cranked out classics such as “I Am My Own God” and “Black Sabbath” from their original 1981 full-length Out of the Womb, as well as a more recent songs like “I Love My Mom,” an ode to the singer’s mother. In between songs The Cretin dropped bits of punk rock insight for the crowd, including the importance of following your own path in life, and criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The band closed their hour-long set with the renowned “Proud to be a Canadian,” and the previously vigorous crowd left satiated, at least until the next show.